Originally Posted by
JuliquE
4-2-3-1
---------------------Bendik*-------------------
-Bloom*----Caldwell*---NewCB----Morrow-
-------Bradley------------------Laba2---------
-----Moore---------NewAM--------Osorio-----
--------------------Gilberto---------------------
** * **
'Keepers: Bendik (I actually typed out "Bender"; tifo idea, maybe) is good enough, in this league. His shortcomings can be very frustrating, but, with better organization in front of him, I feel like he can continue to improve (which I believe he has done, already, if only slightly).
Defenders: Bloom, like Bendik, has his shortcomings, to be sure.. but, he's serviceable in an improved back four. Caldwell I wouldn't mind replacing, mid-season, after he's had a chance to bring consistency to our back four, at the start of 2015, whilst grooming the new, stud CB to be his replacement. In a worst case scenario, he stays on for the season, but is sometimes replaced with the likes of Hagglund or Henry, if he's here.
Defensive-minded mids: Bradley, despite what some believe, isn't, for me, a pure DM, in that he's not necessarily got a penchant for tackling, which is pretty key for an absolute, stay-at-home DM. Box-to-box is a role that suits him best, imo -- his read of the game is too useful, going forward. The problem is that such a role DOES often lead to him feeling like he's got to do it all; with enough quality around him, however, and in key positions, he won't as often be stuck playing deep, picking up the ball, or be frequently caught up field, as we brace for an opposition counter. He will be able to pick his moments, more, and, just as well, with better quality around him, comes better movement to better exploit his passing/vision. The aforementioned key positions are in bold, above: CB & DM (so he's not overly concerned about getting caught) and an AM (so he's not the go-to guy to create).
Attack-minded mids: Both Moore and Oso have shown they can come central and link play, but not enough to be the main creative source.. hence the need for a bona fide AM, with the other two in support swapping places with him, on occasion, to keep our opposition guessing. With the likes of Jackson, Lovitz, Oduro and possibly DeRo, we have enough options to keep things fresh and ask different questions, with our starting line-up, or with a game-changing sub.
Forward(s): Gilberto is class; irks me how he sometimes gets ragged on.. but, that's pro sports, I suppose. For me, he is the inverse of Bradley: feels he has to do it all, if mostly concerning himself with the attack. Again, with some quality around him, and, thus, better movement, space would more often open up for him to exploit. For me, the front four are interchangeable (Moore, Oso, Jackson and Oduro have pitched in on goals, don't forget); don't agree with the view of lining Gilberto up primarily as an AM, but I understand why there are some calling for this. I think we need a better forward option coming off the bench, if we're to be taken serious; not quite a stud, as it would be difficult to keep the two happy, whilst also being a waste of cap space.
** * **
I think it was notthesun that said it best: we have to look at the overall team, when a player is not doing well (especially when said player is already a proven commodity in MLS). Blowing up the roster has got to stop, and what I've proposed gets the most out of what we already have. How we line up could make a world of difference, as well; a shift away from 4-4-2, and some time for the players to settle into it, will play to our strengths more.